Journalism of Courage
Family members of slain RTI activist Satish Shetty believe that death of his close aide Anil Borhade (38), who is also an important witness in the murder case, will hamper the investigation into the activist’s murder in 2010.
A resident of Talegaon Dabhade, Borhade worked as a driver on Pune Mahanagar Parvihan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) bus. He complained of headache and vomiting while driving a PMPML bus on Aundh – Ravet BRTS route Wednesday afternoon. He was first treated at the Aundh chest hospital. Later he was admitted to the YCM hospital, where he died during treatment around 4 pm.
Satish’s brother Sandeep Shetty said, “Borhade was very close to Satish. He accompanied him on several occasions, while filing important RTI applications. He was aware of the threats Satish was facing and was present with him until the day before his murder took place. The police had recorded Borhade’s statements. But we feel his statement before the court during the trial was very important. His death is a big loss to his family and us. It will certainly hamper the investigation.”
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Sandeep had raised doubts about the medical treatment provided to Borhade. “Initially I was told that he died of heart failure. But then I got to know that medical tests like ECG report were normal. So we are now waiting for the postmortem report to understand the reason behind his death. He died a few hours after he complained of a medical problem. There should be a probe to find out whether quick and proper medical treatment to save his life was done,” he said.
Suryakant Borhade (64), father of deceased Anil Borhade said, “We are shocked by his death. He has a wife and two kids. He died while he was on duty.”
Asked whether Anil got any threats or suffered from any illness in the past, Suryakant said, “He was only 38-years-old and never suffered from any major illness.
We are not aware of any threats. We are waiting for the postmortem report.” When contacted, YCM officials refused to comment on the postmortem report.
Satish Shetty was stabbed by unidentified persons while he was on a morning walk in Talegaon Dabhade January 13, 2010. Initially, the Pune rural police conducted a probe and arrested a few suspects, including Advocate Vijay Dabhade. Meanwhile, the Pune rural police filed a closure report in a land scam case filed by Shetty at Lonavla city police station. Later the murder probe was handed over to the CBI. On August 8, 2014, the CBI moved Bombay High court against the closure report filed by the rural police in the land scam. CBI sought permission to re-open the case saying that it may be linked to Satish Shetty’s murder. But shockingly, after three days, the CBI filed a closure report in the murder case itself on August 11, 2014.
CBI examined at least 500 persons and conducted polygraph tests on 36 persons, including officials of the IRB. In December 2014, Sandeep Shetty moved the Bombay High Court pleading that an order be passed for setting aside the CBI’s closure report in the murder case. In February, 2015, the CBI re-opened the case, claiming it got “prosecutable evidence” following raids at 21 locations in Mumbai and Pune.
